352 A T R E A T I S E on 
Acrimony it opens the Mouths of the Veins, and 
fo excites Hypercatharfes or Superpurgations. 5. That 
it likewife abrades the Mucus of the Inteftines, oc- 
cafioning a Dyfentery, or Tenefmus , and Ulcers in 
the other Bowels. 6. That it is offenfive to the 
principal Parts, by a Kind of Malignity, being ex- 
tremely noxious to the Heart, Sotmach, Liver, &c. 
However, by fome Precautions thefe Inconveni- 
encies may poflibly be prevented, as, 1 . By giving 
it opportunely, that is, either immediately in the 
Beginning of the Difeafe when the Matter is turgid, 
or otherwife when the Humours are concodled and 
become fluid. 2. By ordering it in a proper Dofe. 
3. By duly preparing it. 
With Refpedt to the Dofe of this Medicine Au- 
thors are not agreed . The ancient Greeks never 
ventured upon Catharticks without the greatefl: Pru- 
dence and Deliberation, but always gave them in 
large Quantities: Whereas we, who in the Ufe of 
thefe Medicines are become bolder, are more timo» 
rous in Regard of their Dofes. This, perhaps, is 
the Reafon why we reap not the fame Benefit from 
them : Though it mufl be confefled that our Bodies 
in this Climate are of a loofer Texture, and more 
eafy to purge than the robuft Bodies of the Greeks , 
and the Inhabitants of other hot Climates, who 
were inured to Exercife and Labour. Diofcorides , 
therefore, to purge Bile and Phlegm, diredts it to 
be taken in Mulfe to ^j. Paulus AEgineta and Aetius 
gave it to 9ij. and Mefue only from gr. v. to xij. 
or xv. Bodceus a Stapel tells us, that he has often 
given it with good Succefs to gr. xx. or xxv. mixed 
with Syrup of Violets ; to Children of eight, ten, 
or twelve Years of Age, to gr. xij. or xv. and to 
thofe of five, to gr. vj. or vij. IVedelius makes 
this Diftindtion. “ It is given (fays he) either as 
‘ c the Bafls or principal Ingredient, or as a Stimu - 
“ lus 
